Advancing Transit Safety in the District

38th and Geary Pedestrian Beacon

A month before I was sworn into office, in December 2020, there was a tragic collision at 38th Avenue and Geary Boulevard that resulted in the death of Mr. Lawrence Holman. Since then, I have been working with SFMTA to install a flashing pedestrian beacon at that intersection. While it is frustrating that it has taken over three years, we are finally seeing progress.

Last week, SFMTA finally held the Engineering Committee hearing regarding the proposed flashing beacon at 38th and Geary and is expecting the construction to begin this spring. I will continue to monitor this project and you can follow the progress here: https://www.sfcta.org/projects/38th-and-geary-rectangular-rapid-flashing-beacons  

Geary Boulevard Improvement Project 

The Geary Boulevard Improvement Project, formerly know as the Geary BRT, to create a transit-only lane has been completed on Geary Boulevard between Stanyan Street and 34th Avenue. This project aims to improve bus service and traffic safety along Geary. The newly created side-running transit lanes gives signal priority for buses, and the retimed pedestrian signals give pedestrians more time to cross the street. 

This project has undergone many changes since it was first proposed decades ago. After seeing over a decade delay for Van Ness BRT, and the eventual success of side-running transit lanes of Geary BRT Phase 1, it was imperative to us that we push for the least destructive and still beneficial option for the Richmond District. With my office's advocacy, we were successful in moving forward with side running transit lanes , maintaining travel time reliability and improvements. We are confident that this was the right choice for the Richmond, given the issues we continue to see on Taraval Street. 

Then we also worked with the Geary Merchants to push back on SFMTA's plan to remove a large number of parking spaces and, as a result, SFMTA not only provided pedestrian safety improvements but created additional angeld-parking on cross avenues. Additionally, we pushed for improvements of loading zones along the corridor to support our small businesses, families, and teachers, including the white zone at Presidio Middle School.

Arguello Quick-Build Safety Project

On April 4, 2023, the collision and subsequent fatality of cyclist Ethan Boyes on Arguello Boulevard in the Presidio highlighted the urgency of safety upgrades for everyone utilizing Arguello.  I worked with Assemblymember Ting to secure $1.2 million in State funding to install protected bicycle lanes on Arguello from Golden Gate Park to the Presidio.

The bike lanes will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and the many residents who navigate Arguello on a daily basis.  SFMTA  is currently in the development stage of this project and will be conducting community outreach in the coming months. You can follow the project here: https://www.sfmta.com/projects/arguello-safety-project 

Continuing Fulton Street Traffic Safety Improvements

I am excited to report that our work to make Fulton Street safer for residents accessing the 5/5R transit lines and for neighbors and families who cross Fulton in order to access to Golden Gate Park is moving along. Through our work with the community and SFMTA and thanks to Assemblymember Phil Ting who secured an additional $1.6 million from the state budget, we have seen some much needed improvements along Fulton Street, and we will continue to see further improvements to high-needs areas along Fulton. 

Changes implemented thus far include:

• Improved visibility for pedestrians by adding or improving daylighting at 34 intersections  

• Narrowed crossings by installing 13 painted safety zones between Stanyan and La Playa streets 

• Reduced speeding by installing speed radar signs between 16th and 17th avenues (for westbound drivers) and between 38th and 39th avenues (for eastbound drivers) and 

• Improved crosswalks at six intersections by adding advance limit lines to give pedestrians more space from traffic when crossing 

Later this year, SFMTA will be building concrete transit bulbs at 10th, 8th, 6th Avenues, and Arguello Boulevard. In addition to improving transit reliability, these will narrow the roadway, slow turning vehicles and narrow the crossing distance for people walking.

Speed Camera Installation

With the passage of Assembly Bill 645, the city has been authorized to implement a speed safety camera pilot program. The Richmond District has been allocated funding for three speed safety cameras. These cameras will help curb speeding and make our streets safer. I am meeting this week with  SFMTA and Richmond Police Station Captain Chris Canning to discuss potential locations based on collision and speed data from our police department and SFTMA. 

Signal Improvements Throughout the Richmond

SFMTA utilizes Transit Signal Priority throughout the city to improve reliability and travel time for transit and emergency vehicles. I am delighted that this critical safety equipment will be installed on two key corridors in the Richmond. 

District 1 Mobility Study 

Last year we began a Mobility Study for the Richmond District with the SF County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) to prioritize projects that improve and increase walking, biking, and transit trips. We are engaging the community to identify known mobility challenges and develop strategies to improve transit safety and reliability and shift trips to transit, walking, biking, or other non-driving options. 

We have heard from many neighbors who live, work, play, shop, visit, and make essential trips in the Richmond District, but we want to ensure that we have responses that best reflect the diversity of voices and experiences in our community – including the perspectives of young people, and monolingual residents! We will also be holding a townhall in March with SFCTA, date to be announced. 

Please get involved and share your feedback with us!  Learn more and stay connected with the project: https://www.sfcta.org/D1-study

Community Updates 

Lunar New Year Children's Mini Parade

Anniversary of the Winter of Love 

Last Wednesday, the city celebrated the 20th anniversary of the "Winter of Love", when San Francisco declared that love is love, and the day that then Mayor Gavin Newsom directed city officials to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. At city hall, we had over 200 couples exchange vows, and I was lucky enough to officiate some of the ceremonies and be part of this special occassion. It was wonderful to see so much joy and love, couples on every step and every floor declaring their love! 

 

Community Events 

Tenant Rights Bootcamp

YMCA Sip and Savor

2024 San Francisco Summer Resource Fair 

Richmond Police Station Community Meeting

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